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Updated: May 9, 2026
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Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Published on: July 5, 2011
A Comprehensive Review of Spinal Arthroplasty
David D Liu1, Evan Dennis1, Advait Patil1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Neurospine
|May 7, 2026
Summary
Spinal arthroplasty offers motion-preserving alternatives to spinal fusion, aiming to reconstruct spinal biomechanics. Innovations in cervical and lumbar disc/facet arthroplasty are expanding its use in degenerative spine conditions.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Biomedical Engineering
- Spinal Biomechanics
Background:
- Spinal fusion, while effective for stabilization, presents limitations like reduced mobility and adjacent segment disease.
- Spinal arthroplasty seeks to overcome these limitations by utilizing motion-preserving implants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the advancements in spinal arthroplasty over the past 30 years.
- To focus on key areas: cervical disc replacement, lumbar disc replacement, and lumbar facet arthroplasty.
Main Methods:
- Review of biomechanics, historical development, clinical outcomes, and future trends.
- Analysis of cervical disc replacement, lumbar disc replacement, and lumbar facet arthroplasty.
Main Results:
- Spinal arthroplasty has evolved significantly, offering reconstructive surgical options.
- Current applications are specific to degenerative settings, but innovation is driving wider adoption.
Conclusions:
- Spinal arthroplasty represents a shift towards motion-preserving and reconstructive spine surgery.
- Continued innovation promises broader clinical use and improved patient outcomes in degenerative spine care.
